VICTORIA’S councils will have the first chance to show where and how they can unlock space for new homes over the coming decades, with the Victorian Government kicking off the next stage of local government consultation on draft housing capacity targets tailored for every local government area (LGA) in the state. Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny announced the draft targets for each LGA today, with final targets released by the end of this year. Under the draft, Mansfield Shire's total number of homes would rise from 6900 (2023 total) to 10,600 by 2051 - some 3700 new dwellings to be built over the next 27 years. Significant growth is also forecast across neighbouring municipalities in the North East, with draft targets of: • Alpine Shire 7400 dwellings (2023) to rise by 1700 in 2051; • Wodonga 18,900 dwellings (2023) to rise by 14,400 in 2051; • Indigo Shire 8000 dwellings (2023) to rise by 3000 in 2051; • Benalla 7400 dwellings (2023) to rise by 1600 in 2051 and; • Towong Shire 3200 dwellings (2023) to rise by 500 in 2051. Premier Allan said Victoria has the largest annual population growth of all Australian states, and it needs more than two million additional homes by the 2050s - and where they are built matters. “More homes are needed in established suburbs – close to jobs, transport, education, and services – to give more young people the chance to live near where they grew up, and to reduce future growth pressure on families,” she said. “To give industry the confidence they need to get on and build, we need government and all councils working towards the same goal: more homes for Victorians – in the right places.” Premier Allan said the draft council housing targets are largely based on access to the jobs, transport and services Victorians need. “By reaching their targets, many council areas across inner and middle Melbourne would double their number of new dwellings every year – helping deliver the Housing Statement goal of 70 per cent of new homes going in established areas and 30 per cent in outer-suburban growth areas,” she said. “In regional cities and rural areas, the targets will also help deliver more new homes in cities and towns to boost key worker and affordable housing. “The City of Greater Geelong is proposed to accommodate 139,800 new homes by 2051.” Premier Allan said Victoria’s councils have the powers to unlock space for more homes by proposing changes to local planning rules. “The government will consult closely with councils to harness their local knowledge, with councils to report back on the draft target and the local changes they propose,” she said. Premier Allan said the government wants to hear from councils about the continued infrastructure support that communities need to grow sustainably. She said the draft dwelling targets for each LGA were outlined in the landmark Housing Statement and are the next stage of the discussion government is having with Victorians as part of the new plan for Victoria – a long-term vision for Victoria’s next 30 years.
